Ive been driving lately around town and started to notice a squeaking sound from the front left tire. I took my truck to the local mechanic and had them replace my belts becuz i knew they were getting old and i asked him to look at all 4 break pads/shoes to see if they needed to be replaced. He said the back are perfectly fine, BUT the front pads are getting to that point of being changed. I left the shop with the new belts but i didnt wanna spend all the money for him to do my breaks. this was about a month ago i took it in, i still hear the squeeking till this day and now a slight grinding when i hit the breaks, a small grind for a second then it stops. I went to autozone to get new pads and figured i would just replace the pads. My question to you guys is, Will slapping new pads fix the squeeking? Do i need to get my rodors cut or can i just put new pads on? I asked my other mechanic about getting the rodors cut, he said, you dont need to get the rodors cut UNLESS there is a vibration coming from the tires when i tap or hold the break down. Do you always get the rodors cut when replacing break pads? will i be ok just putting new pads on without getting them cut?

The squeaking is from the built in squealer on the pad. That is the indication they need replaced. The grinding sound is more than likely the metal to metal contact from the pad being gone now. The rotors will need turned or replaced.

You would have to pull the tires off and inspect the rotors to answer that. If you have no gouging at all then your rotors are probably ok and you can replace the pads. However, there are some that will says always turn your rotors and some will say just clean them sand paper so at that point it's your call.

Me personally. the only time I have my rotors cut is if there is a groove or vibration while breaking, the sand paper is to create a bit of friction to help wear in the new pads, you're not going to get rid of ant unevenness using sand paper, that would be the job of having rotors cut, if no shake in the steering wheel, and no deep groves then just lightly sand,clean with aerosol brake cleaner, install new pads and you are good to go.